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December 2015 Issue

Departments

By Kristin Harper
Triclosan, a chemical compound added to a variety of consumer products, has received a lot of bad press because it mimics hormones in our bodies. What are the facts about triclosan’s potential effects on human health?

As a Matter of Fact

A Rough Guide to Types of Scientific Evidence

Features

By Brian Rohrig
Safety data sheets provide information on the composition, properties, and hazards of certain chemicals. These sheets help teachers and students handle chemicals safely, while conducting experiments in a classroom laboratory. Teachers: Print this article and share it with your students and colleagues.

A Moldy Situation: Chemistry to the Rescue

Geothermal Power: Hot Stuff

By Chris Eboch
Most of the energy needed to light and heat our homes comes from burning fossil fuels, a process that generates pollution and contributes to climate change. But a clean and sustainable source of energy is also available under our feet, and it is called geothermal energy.

Bacteria Buster! Triclosan Kills Bacteria, but Is It Safe?

By Kristin Harper
Triclosan, a chemical compound used in toothpaste, soap, and cosmetics to kill bacteria, has been linked, in animal studies, to allergic reactions, accelerated onset of puberty, and possibly cancer. How does triclosan work, and should we be worried?